Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1862-[1892x1900] / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
7 volumes.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lewis Jones, pioneer in Patagonia and writer, was born in Caernarfon. Whilst living in Liverpool as a young man, he became one of the leaders of the Welsh Colony Movement. In 1862 he sailed on an explorative voyage to Patagonia in order to assess the land's suitability for colonisation and to prepare the way for the first contingency of Welsh emigrants. On his return, Jones's colourful descriptions of the new country proved misleading and he came into conflict with emigrants disappointed with the reality of their new home, though he eventually succeeded in persuading his countrymen to remain. Jones was elected governor of Patagonia for a time - the first and only Welshman to hold that post. He also established a printing press and two newspapers in the colony - Ein Breiniad (1878) and Y Dravod (1891); the latter continues to be published to this day. Jones also published a book detailing the Welsh settlement entitled Y Wladfa Gymreig (1898).
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Miss Eluned Morgan, daughter of Lewis Jones; Donation; 1938
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Manuscripts and papers, 1862-[1892x1900], of or relating to Lewis Jones, pioneer of the Welsh colony in Patagonia. They comprise journals, 1862-1863, of Lewis Jones recording his exploratory visit to Patagonia; material relating to the imprisonment, 1882-1883, of Lewis Jones and R. J. Berwyn whilst attempting to defend the rights of Welsh settlers; an essay, poetry and plays by Lewis Jones; and correspondence, 1862-1892, mainly relating to the Welsh colony.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 12198-12204.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- Welsh
- English
- Spanish
Script of material
Language and script notes
Welsh, English, Spanish.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
The descriptions are also available in the Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents.
Note
Formerly known as Eluned Morgan 1-7.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Jones, Lewis, 1836-1904 -- Archives. (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
December 2009.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Descriptions compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig on-line site, viewed 22 December 2009;